We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Gardening

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Sedum?

Niki Acker
By
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 8,726
Share

Sedum, or stonecrop, is a genus of leaf succulent plant of the Crassulaceae family. There are over 400 species, comprising annual herbs, creeping herbs, and shrubs. Plants in this genus are popular in gardens as a groundcover because of their hardiness and attractive appearance. Most have five-petaled flowers and come in green, red, pink, golden, and yellow varieties.

While sedum is most often grown as a ground cover, some varieties are popular house plants. These include Sedum morganum or donkey tail, a light green succulent with bright pink flowers, and Sedum rubrotinctum, also called the jelly bean plant, which has round green and red leaves. These houseplants are fairly easy to care for and most can be grown from cuttings. They are susceptible to overwatering, particularly in months when they are dormant.

Like all succulents, sedum plants store water in their leaves, giving them a swollen, fleshy appearance. Most varieties are native to dry areas, and while some need heat and cannot tolerate cold, others are cold-tolerant but do not do well in the heat. All types are hardy and low-maintenance, and this quality makes them popular for inexperienced gardeners and as a cover for large areas. They are also sometimes preferred to grass as a cover for green roofs — building roofs that are completely covered with vegetation. Sedum lineare or needle stonecrop, a species native to East Asia, has been suggested for green roofs in Shanghai, China.

One variety, Sedum reflexum, is used as a salad green in Europe. It has a sour, astringent taste and is commonly called prickmadam, stone orpine, or crooked yellow stonecrop. Another variety, Sedum acre or biting stonecrop, is sharp and acrid in taste and somewhat toxic. Historically, it was used to induce miscarriage and to cure epilepsy and skin conditions. Eating too much can cause cramps, irritation of the mucous membranes, or paralysis.

Share
HomeQuestionsAnswered is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Niki Acker
By Niki Acker
"In addition to her role as a HomeQuestionsAnswered editor, Niki Foster is passionate about educating herself on a wide range of interesting and unusual topics to gather ideas for her own articles. A graduate of UCLA with a double major in Linguistics and Anthropology, Niki's diverse academic background and curiosity make her well-suited to create engaging content for WiseGeekreaders. "
Discussion Comments
By SarahSon — On Jun 23, 2011

I have never had a sedum that was not easy to grow. It seems like no matter if they get sun or shade or even what the soil is like, they still do well for me.

I also have a very colorful sedum succulent that I purchased and have growing in my sun room. I bought it because it had such bright, beautiful leaves and it has also done very well.

I am a little bit better at making sure it gets regular fertilizer and water, but most sedums are quite hardy and will quickly become favorites whether they are planted outside or inside.

By golf07 — On Jun 20, 2011

I had an area in a front flower garden that received sun most of the day, and I was looking for a ground cover that would complement the purple, pink and blue flowers in that area.

I chose a sedum plant called Dragon's Blood Sedum that was a dark pink and green ground cover. That one plant has easily spread to cover a much larger area and does well in the hot sun that does not always get regular watering.

I have also transplanted it to other areas, and it grows quickly and will spread wherever you plant it.

Niki Acker
Niki Acker
"In addition to her role as a HomeQuestionsAnswered editor, Niki Foster is passionate about educating herself on a wide...
Learn more
Share
https://www.homequestionsanswered.com/what-is-sedum.htm
Copy this link
HomeQuestionsAnswered, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

HomeQuestionsAnswered, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.